A safer web is enabled by SSL-protected sites, as seen with Facebook’s transition to requiring SSL for all applications and Google’s transition to the https standard for all logged-in searches. You may wonder exactly what SSL certificate security is. Well, SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. This protocol is a standardized way to encrypt (i.e., scramble) online transmission. An SSL-secured site uses an encryption or algorithm to encode and decode data. The SSL system involves two individual keys, which are called the private key and the public key. Typically the public key is just that � available to all �” whereas the private key is known only to the site owner.
Web sites with SSL encryption start with https rather than http. In other words, SSL is so commonplace that it is built into the Web’s infrastructure and browser functionality. Https web sites require an active and site-specific SSL for data transfer; if the SSL is expired, for a different site, or not installed properly, error messages result. Typically, web sites used for online payment or digital transactions are secured through this encryption/decryption protocol, as are some email sites.
Let’s look at how HTTPS works: a secure channel must be created on an unsecured network. Cipher suites are used for this purpose, and SSL certificates are a verified and affordable solution. In general, web browsers have a list of accepted, pre-installed certificate authorities (CA). An SSL certificate indicates whether an online purchase or online transaction is advisable. Some web browsers may provide a plug-in for this purpose. If a site is visited and the SSL certificate has not been added to your web browser, you will be prompted with a warning and you must confirm the risk of seeing the site in any way. SSL certificates will increase your safety, both web browsing and shopping, such as you experience through online third party payment platforms like PayPal or bank wire.
What happens when a Web browser connects to an SSL-secure Web site? The first step is that the browser tries to connect to the website. The browser requests the Web server to verify whether the web site has an SSL-secure connection or not. The Web server of the site sends a copy of the SSL certificate for the visitor’s web browser verification. The next step is verification of the SSL security certificate. The browser checks that the certificate sent by the SSL Web server is reliable. If the certificate is verified, it sends a message to the web server. But if it fails, the browser generates a warning and prompts the user to confirm or deny the authenticity of the web server certificate. If the user accepts the risk, the message instantly is sent to the web server; otherwise the connection to the website is closed. If accepted, the server returns with https protocol (even if it’s problematic).
Key Functions of SSL certificates:
To secure a website, it’s best to review the SSL providers both for key functions of SSL as well as the below details. Types of SSL certificates are standardized throughout the industry, but the below should be considered before ordering.
Web Browser Authentication: SSL should be verified by the latest major web browsers. Unverified SSL certification authorities will generate warning messages in browsers which will create negative impressions among web site visitors and online customers. In other words, SSL certificates must be highly COMPATIBLE.
SSL encryption: The common SSL standard is 128 bit or 256 bit SSL encryption. Certificates are typically at this bit level, the range due to browser/server/OS. 128/256 bit SSL encryption is the best option to make the entire online shop or business secure and safe for website visitors and other online users.
SSL Issuance: SSL should be issued as quickly as possible by a major SSL reseller. This both keeps your price down and improves your customer service.
SSL Assurance: Before buying an SSL from any SSL reseller, we should be aware of the SSL cancellation and guarantee policy in case the SSL doesn’t work correctly.
SSL Support: Know whether SSL support will be there for the installation process and selection process. SSL support always should be there via various communication channels such as chat, email, or phone calls anytime, 24/7/365.